I'm haunted by vintage sewing machines
 

I keep seeing vintage sewing machines everywhere now. On TV, and in every thrift/charity shop in town.

One shop right down the road has a Singer clone (erroneously marked as a Singer) for $100. Seems to work (moves freely, tag says tested & working), has lots of bobbins and accessories and a nice curved wooden case...but it's beat to heck, decals are worn nearly off, and not at all pretty so I passed. But it keeps on calling to me anyway, even though I really don't have any place to put it or any use for it and it's not pretty enough for me to want to display it. Craziness!! I hope someone else hurries up and buys it!!

I told myself that if I find one that's just so pretty I have to have it, that's okay. I'll buy it. OR if I find an old working Pfaff 332 just like the one Grandma taught me to sew on, I'd definitely buy that. I know I can find them on ebay, but I figure I will wait for one to come to me.

Anybody else haunted by cool old machines that you just can't have? Even the funky plastic-body turquoise blue ones from the 70's appeal to me. I wish I had a 4,000 square foot house or a giant old barn so I could collect all the neat stuff I'm always getting a hankering for. I could totally become one of "those people" you see on the "picker" shows, LOL.

Maybe if you offer 50% and they accept it, then it is meant to be yours. If not, then it will need to go home with someone else. It could make a good back up or if you know someone that needs a back up - how many machines do you currently own?

Hehe, I have three! My 20 year old Kenmore (which still works great but weighs a ton and is a very basic, no bells or whistles machine), a lightweight Brother CS6000i (which has lots of nice features and weighs nothing...which is actually a problem) and my "baby", a Janome 6600. I really don't NEED another machine, not at all. I have backups for my backups. I just WANT one, because they're ...well, they're just neat!

I almost would prefer to find one that is really pretty but doesn't work...that way I won't feel guilty for just setting it up on a shelf somewhere as eye candy. I have a "thing" for old tools and old machines...I think a lovely old sewing machine would look great in my living room, right next to my old hand drills, oil cans and wrenches. LOL

in case you weren't aware, we have a forum for vintage machines here http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...thusiasts-f22/

I have had four machines (three vintage Singers) given to me because I think I'm the only person who sews at my job. Co-workers just want to get rid of them and ask me if I want them. How can I refuse?

I am very much haunted by old Singers especially treadles. I have just bought one. It is a sentimental thing. I want to save them all!

I've already got my share of oldies but goodies. I wish someone would tell me when "vintage" turns into "antique." I saw an ebay ad for an "Antique Pfaff 7570." I assumed this was from a twenty-something lister. I like to think my FW's are vintage, but I guess they may be antique......:(

I have a lot of old vintage sewing machine that I had to quit buying them. They are the all metal ones-they always have a special place as a quilter and sewer.

I've put a limit of $25 on myself. If it's more than $25, I won't even consider it. I've gotten a few machines for free and they are great machines. I am tempted, but it's the old, neglected ones that need me...did I just say that? OK, I may have a problem

I love the vintage machines. I have 5 of them. Sometimes when I have a minute and am finished here, I go to ebay and look at what they are selling, just for fun.

Well, I think, I know I'm addicted. My men just laugh at me[2sons, 1 grandson, 1 husband] when I bring another home to fix. Golly NO, they[ sons, grandson don't live with us! I don't even use them, I just want to get them going again. Well, I use them sometimes. But the fun is cleaning and seeing that I can get them healed. I do quilt, but not like I should.

There is a Singer 15 in a cabinet with the little bench and accessories for $15 calling my name right now. I think I will call tomorrow to see if it's unsold. I almost hope she'll say no.

Love almost all of them, but can't have them all. I gave away the smoothest treadling machine I've ever seen because it needed quite a bit of work. I think it's gone beyond a collection to an obsession.

We've decided we will collect in the summer, Repair during the winter and evaluate in the spring which to keep and which to sell. Good thing it's nearly corn picking time. We have 10 waiting for repair now.

Y'all make me laugh!

I used to think one sewing machine was enough. Then, I got to thinking.. well, I "need" a backup for just in case. Then, someone gave me a machine. So, I thought ok.. I can save this one for my grandaughter. Then, I found one on craigslist in a nice cabinet for cheap. Now, I'm thinking what would it hurt if I find a good deal?!

Most of us know someone that likes to save old cars. So this sewing machine addicition (?) must be similar. That's my story and I'm sticking to it... :cool:

I have a "vintage" machine .. love it ! I love that all I need to do is oil and clean it .. no yearly( or more) trips to the dealer for annual service . I can get at ever part of the machine myself. Its a work horse and I am always on the look out for its sister just in case mine needs a part. But I just know I could never just use one for parts.. it would get used and loved ...

I found a vintage (?) Elna, green, at an antique store a while back. She buys good used sewing machines and then hauls them 7 hours to a person who gets them working perfectly. I want it so badly. She wants $149 for it. It comes with the manual, different feet, bobbins, lots of extras. It was a one person owner and you can tell just by looking at it. I get paid tomorrow and I'm fighting hard not to buy it. I don't need it. I am trying to give away my Singer 99K because I don't need it. I already have a good sewing machine and a good backup machine. I just want this beautiful green Elna. It is so gorgeous. It wouldn't break me, but I think I would put in on my piano bench with my Singer and there it would sit.

I have 3 vintage Singers and 2 new machines (plus a serger). Still looking for a Singer 301, then maybe I'll be finished collecting machines....OR NOT!!:D

Be careful or they will start following you home! Many folks on the Vintage and Antique thread have 10. some have 20 and more. I have about 15 treadles, 1 Howe, 1 white and 2 black 221's, a black longbed 301, and several more. Most are waiting for "someday" to be cleaned up, stashed upstairs. Sometimes I have to put my hands over my ears because I can hear them sighing. The first few I bought for the cabinets- here's something about beautiful old wood and craftsmanship that appeals to me. Then I started being a bit more discriminating in the machines' decals and condition. Some I bought as parts for others. Might be moving to a smaller place in the next year or two, so plan on starting to clean up some and thin the herd (so to speak) over the winter. Some folks collect 1 of everything they fancy, others must have all turquoise, others have many versions of the same machine (301's in different colors and bed sizes).
As for Antique vs Vintage- most collectors consider over 100 years to be antique. Since I'm from the latter end of the Featherweight era- I consider them Vintage.

I want a vintage 221. I'll keep dreaming.

tomorrow I'm picking up an older Necchi or whatever the name is for $35. A friend has one over 50 years old that still sews like a dream. I think it will be the church hall machine.